Well flowing apparatus



J. O. LEWIS WELL FLOWING APPARATUS July 16, 1946.

Filed Dec.

4 Sheets-Sheet l I A wilk 71,5 I ll l VENTQR I James 0 Lew/5.

ATTORNEY y 16, 1946. v J. o. LEWIS 2,403,987'

WELL FLOWING APPARATUS 8 INVENTOR i. I i James QZcW/S. I

4 ATTORNEY Jul 16, 1946. J. o. LEWIS WELL FLOWING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 18, 1940 {1 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR James 0 [aw/a BYQ H ATTORNEY Patented July 16, 1946 WELL FLOWING APPARATUS James 0. Lewis, Houston, Tex., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-half to E. 0. Will and one-sixth to P. R. Haas, both of Corpus Christi, Tex.

Application December 18, 1940, Serial No. 370,611

6 Claims (01. 166 2) My invention relates to a well flowing apparatus, particularly for handling the well fluids produced from two or more producing horizons of a well. For example, many oil and gas fields have more than one producing horizon, but obtaining this production through a common well results in waste and is prohibited by laws of most states, in which case it is necessary either to produce first from one horizon until it is exhausted and then the other, or to drill separate wells to each horizon. The first alternative delays the recovery of the oil and/or gas from the field while the second increases the cost of development. In order to overcome these objections attempts have been made to separate the horizons by means of a packer set on an inner string of pipe and arranged to sealingly engage the casing or wall of the bore-hole so that production from one horizon is produced through the pipe while the production from the other horizon flows through the annular space between the casing or walls of the bore-hole and the pipe, but with this method liquids and sediments accumulate in the annular space until they overcome the natural pressure and prevent further flow. Even socalled dry gas contains some waterand gasoline vapor which will condense long before the field has been exhausted, preventing further recovery. This method is also not satisfactory when the volume or the natural pressure is insuificient to flow the liquids to the earths surface.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide a well flowing apparatus whereby oil and/or gas may be successfully and economically produced from a plurality of formations through a common well.

.Other objects of the invention are to provide a well flowing apparatus for selectively and separately handling the various conditions and problems encountered in producingfluids from two or more production horizons through which a well is drilled; to provide a flowing apparatus whereby accumulations of liquids or sediments may be readily discharged under natural well pressures or aided by the introduction of pressure from the surface of the well; to provide a flowing apparatus whereby gas from a high pressure horizon may be utilized to aid in flow of fluid from a low pressure horizon; to provide an apparatus whereby fluids may be introduced into the well for displacing drilling fluid until the column of liquid has been lightened sufficiently so that it will flow by natural pressure or by gas or air pressure applied from the surface of the well; and to provide a well flowing apparatus '55 2 whereby heavy fluids may be introduced for killing flow from one or both formations when desired to repair or service the well.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a well flowing apparatus wherewith acid, wash fluids, gas ,or other medium may be selectively introduced to the producing formations for opening the pores and making the Well more productive; and to provide for circulation of fluid to remove paraflin or other substances clinging to the walls and tubing of the well.

A further object of the invention is to provide a well flowing apparatus whereby flow may be separately and selectively maintained under natural pressure and which is adapted for the installation of pumps when the natural pressure drops below that required to lift the fluid.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a well equipped with a flowing apparatus for separately and selectively controlling flow from a plurality of producing horizons through which the well is drilled.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the flowing apparatus at the head of the well, particularly illustrating the jacks for selectively positioning the transfer valve.

Fig. .3 is an enlarged vertical section through the lower portion of the well illustrating the transfer valve in position for valving off flow from an upper formation.

Fig. 4 is a similar section showing the transfer valve in position for establishing flow from the upper formation.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a cross-section on, the line 1-1 of Fig. 4. T

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through a modified form of the mechanism for positioning the control or transfer valve- Fig. 9 is a cross-section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged section through a modified form of control valve.

Fig. 11 is a similar section through a further modified form of valve.

Fig.1.? is a cross-section on the line l2--l2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a cross-section on the line l3--L3 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a vertical section modified form of valve.

Fig. 15 is a cross-section on the line 45-45 of Fig 14.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

designates the bore-hole of a well drilled through a plurality of producin formations 2 and 3 located at different horizons. The well is cased by a casing 4 having perforations in the portions thereof extending through the producing formations as indicated at 5 and 5. The upper end of the casing is provided with a cap '1 having a side connection 8 which is provided. with a valve 9 to control flow of fluids therethrough, as later de scribed.

Extendin within the casing to a point intermediate the producing formations is a pipe inner casin or production string l3 carrying a packer H which sealingly engages the wall of the well or the casing 4 for separating flow from the upper and lower formations 2 and 3. The pipe I is of smaller diameter than the casing to provide a fiowpassageway i2 therebetween, and to permit flow of fluid from the upper formation to the top of the well or into a transfer valve or control coupling 53 which is inserted between sections of the pipe i0 substantially at the level of the producing formation 2. The upper end of the pipe Ill projects through the cap I and carries a lateral connection M to which is connected a pipe l provided with a control valve 16. Carried by the pipe, above the lateral connection I4, is a blow-out preventer ll, having rams l3 adapted to clamp aninner pipe orduct vi9 which extends downwardly into the well. and connects with the valving element of the transfer valve l3. The upperend of the inner pipe projects through a stuffing box 23 carried by the blow-out preventer, and carries a cross-fitting 2! having a lateral connection 22 with a. pipe 23 that is provided with a control valve 23. The upper branch 25 of the cross-fitting is also shown, as connected with a pipe 23 through a control valve 2'1, the other branch 28 being closed by a plate 29.

The preferred form of transfer valve I3 is best illustrated in Fig. 3, and includes a sleeve-like valve body 3:! having internally threaded sockets 3i and32 at the respective ends thereof to threadedly engage the adjacent ends 33 and 34 of the pipe sections composing the pipe i0. Extending axially through the sleeve-like body is a bore 35 shaped to provide intermediate of the body an internal annular recess 39 and vertically spaced inwardly extending guide ribs 36 and 3'! positioned respectively above and below said recess. One or more radially disposed inlet openings 38 extend from the annular recess 39 between the guide ribs 35 and 31 through the exterior face of the valve body. An internal guide face 40 on the lower rib 31 is of smaller diameter than a corresponding guide face ii on the upper rib, and said faces 'slidingly engage the different diametered upper and lower portions 42 and 43 respectively of a valving member 43, and to provide a bevelled seat 36 onthe guide rib 31 which is adapted to engage a bevelled shoulder on the member 44 formed between the respective different diametered portions thereon. The under face 41 of the lower rib is also bevelled to provide a seat 4-8 adapted to beengaged by a bevelled shoulder :39 formed on th end of a sleeve 50, which is; threaded over a reduced lower end 5! of the valving member. The bevelled faces 45 and 49 of the through a further valving member are thus oppositely disposed and spaced apart to provide the required movement of the valving member to bring a, port 52 therein from registry with the openings 38 to a point below the lower guide rib when the shoulder 45 engages the seat 46. The upper end of the valving member 44 projects above the guide rib 35 and extends through a packing 53 that is positioned in a recess 54 in the valve body and compressed against the valving member by a follower 55 having external threadsengaging internal threads at the upper end of the recess 54 as shown in Fig. 3, the ring elements of the packing being preferably of C-shaped cross-section with one group arranged with the lips facing downwardly and another group with the lips facing upwardly to seal in both directions.

The valving member is provided with an axial bore 53 extending from the upper end thereof to below the port 52, as shown in Fig. 3. The upper end of the bore is preferably tapered and internally threaded, as at 51., to engage the threaded pin 58 of a coupling member 59, the coupling member in turn being provided with an internally threaded box 60 in which the lower end of the pipe I9 is threaded.

In order to raise and lower the valve, I provide a hydraulic mechanism 6| located at the top of the well and adapted to grippingly support the projecting end of the inner pipe. The hydraulic mechanism includes a pair of cylinders 62 having piston-like rods 63 movable therein and connected by a cross-yoke G4. The cross-yoke 64 has a central clamp collar 65 for engaging between collars 66 and 61 on the pipe IS. A fluid medium is admitted to the lower end of the cylinders through ducts 68 under control of valves 69.

The blow-out 'preventer includes a substantially cross-shaped body 10, having the rams l3 slidably mounted in the horizontal arms ll thereof which are manipulated by screws 12 to move the rams to and from engagement-with the pipe. The rams of the blow-out preventer thus prevent escape of fluids in case the packing of the stuffing box 20 should fail and serve as an added precaution for control of the well and prevent accidents. In order that the fluid from the lower strata 3 may by-pass the transfer valve, the body thereof is provided with a plurality of openings 13 interconnecting the sockets 3| and 32 of the transfer valve body.

When the shoulder 45 is engaging the seat 46, no fluid can pass from the upper formation 2 into the center pipe l9, but fluid can flow from the lower formation 3 through the lower portion of the pipe l0 below the valve, port 52, and through the center pipe [9 to the top of the well. When it is desired to provide flow from the upper formation and to shut off flow from the lower formation through the center pipe IS, the rams l8 are loosened and the hydraulic valves 69 are opened to admit pressure fluid to the lower end of the hydraulic cylinders 62 for raising the pistons 63 and effecting lift of the pipe H] which carries the valving member 44 from engagement with the seat 46 to effect engagement of the shoulder 49 thereof with the seat 48. This movement of the valving member brings the port 52' thereof in registry with the opening 38, as shown in Fig. 4, so that flow is established from the upper formation through the ports 38 and 52 into the center pipe Hi.

It will be the usual practice to flow both formations simultaneously. Flow from the upper formation passes through the casing 4 and is discharged through the branch 8 upon opening of the valve 9 and the flow from the lower formation passes through the packer II around the transfer valve through the by-pass or ports I3, and through the pipe III for discharge through the branch I5 upon opening of the valve It. In this case the pipe I9 will be used only to flow out liquid that has accumulated from either sand when the pressure is not sufiicient to effect natural flow thereof from the well. The accumulating fluid, however, will flow readily through the pipe I9 because of its smaller diameter, and the flow will be at h gher velocity to lift the liquid. When flow is to be established from the upper sand into the pipe IS, the valve is shifted to the position shown in Fig 4, and when flow is to be established therethrough from the lower formation the valve is shifted to the position shown in Fig. 3. The pipe I9 may thus be used to alternately lift liquid from the upper and lower formations by changing positions of the valve as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. If it is desired to discharge all of the liquid through the center .pipe, the valves 9 and It will be closed and the fluid from the respective stages isalternately flowed by properly positioning the transfer valve. It'is thus obvious that with the structure illustrated anddescribed, both formations may be flowed simultaneously through the casing 4 and pipe It, or through the casing 4 and pipe III, or the pipes III and I9, or flow may occur through both the casing I and pipe III while a flow is being maintained from one or the other of the sands through the pipe I9. the well may be flowed in various ways. If desired, an external gas from other sources may be introduced to either the space I2 or to the lower part of the pipe I I) through the central pipe III to help lift the fluids when the natural pressures become inadequate.

When a well is completed by rotary drilling methods, lighter fluids such as clear water, oil, or gas may be introduced through the center pipe I9, into either the inner or ,outer pipes It] i and I from the top of the well while the drilling fluid is displaced out through the annular spaces.

When repairing the well, the pressure thereof may be killed by introducing heavy fluids into the central pipe I9 and the well fluids displaced through the casing 4 or pipe I!) by properly positioning the transfer valve, or the heavy fluids can be introduced and the light fluids displaced in reverse manner.

The apparatus also provides for treating either horizon with acids, wash liquids, or other fluids to open up pores of the producing formation to make it more productive. Should the pressure in both formations become too low to flow the liquids, the central pipe I9 may be equipped with the usual type of deep well pumps and either formation pumped, depending upon the position of the transfer valve member 44. In a similar manner a swab or bailer can be run into the central pipe I9 to remove liquid collecting there-, in from either formation, depending upon the position of the valving member M.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 8, the stuffing box mounted on the blow-out preventer carries a hydraulic cylinder Id on spacers III which accommodate space for the packing glands I6 and II. The inner or center pipe I8, which is equivalent to the pipe I9, extends through the cylinder I4, and interposed therein is a piston I9. Connected with the cylinder I4,

Thus

at -a point below the lowermost position of the piston I9, is a valve controlled pipe through which a pressure fluid is admitted to the lower end of the cylinder for raising the transfer valve. Mounted on the head 8! of the cylinder, on similar spacing devices 82, is a pipe 83 carrying a cross-fitting 84 having discharge outlets 85 and 86 complementary to the discharge outlets .23 and 26 of the first described form of the invention. The upper end of the pipe I8 moves within the pipe 83 and is sealed therewith by a packing box 81 fixed to the pipe 83. Otherwise the construction is the same as that disclosed in the first form of the invention and operates in the same manner.

In Fig. 10 is illustrated a modifiedform of transfer valve. In this form of the invention the valve member 88 includes a tubularsectien 83 slidahle through the body of the valve, and which has a port 9! adapted to mcve into andout of registry with the lateral port 92 in the valve body. The lower end of the tube-like valve 89 is closed by a plug 93 and the upper end is connected with the lower end of the pipe I9 by a coupling 94. The valving is packed on each side of the inlet port 92 by packing elements 95 and 96 received in annular recesses 9? and 9 in the bore of the valve body 99. If it is found necessary, the tubing I9 may be equipped with a pump mechanism whereby the liquid passing thereinto may be lifted to the top of the well.

The transfer valve shown in Fig. 11 is of the rotary type and includes a conical shaped hollow core 98 rotatable in a tapered bore 99 in theva lve' body I he to one position to connect a lateral port IE2 in the core with a lateral port IBI in the valve body which admits fluid from the upper formation, or to connect port IQZ with a'port I83 in the valve body which connects with a passageway IEI I extending longitudinally of the body of the valve. When desired to flow from the upper formation, the valve core -98 is rotated by rotating the tubing I85 connected thereto so that the port H32 in the core communicates with the lateral port IGI. When it is desired to flow from the lower formation, the valve is rotated so that the port I82 therein registers with the'port Hi3, and the flow is from the lower formation through the passageway I94 into the central pipe. In order to limit the stop positions of the valve. the valve core is provided with lateral lugs I06 and I0? engageable with an inwardly extending lug I 08 formed in the bottom of the upper recess I09 in valve body I03, the upper end of which recess is threaded to receive the upper section of pipe in the outer string III).

The form of transfer valve shown in Fig. 14 differs from the form shown in Fig. 1, in that the lower end of valving member M has a threaded neck III which carries a hollow guide coupling II2 which is slidable in a cylindrical recess H3 formed in the bottom of the valve body 30' and which carries a depending tube H4 forming a continuation of the upper tube I9 so that the flow from the formation below the valve may be effected through the depending tube and passed through ports H5 formed in an upper beveled seat 49 on the coupling and through the lateral port 52' of the valving member 44 for flow upwardly through the central pipe I9. When the pipe I9 is lifted, flow through the depending pipe II 4 is cut ofi by the engagement of the upper seat 49' on coupling H2 with a corresponding downwardly facing beveled seat 48' on lower rib 81 covering ports I I5.

, 7 'What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a transfer valve including a body having spaced guides therein and an inlet port between said guides, and a valving member slidable in said guides and having shoulders for respectively engaging opposite sides of one of the guides and provided with a passageway adapted to connect with said port when one of the shoulders engages said guide, said valving member being arranged to close said. port when the other shoulder engages the guide, said valve body having a bypass for directing fluid around the valving member.

2. In an apparatus for producing a well from a plurality of production formations, packer means for separating the production formations, separate conduits extending from the upper end of the well to each production formation, means at the surface to selectively close or open each conduit, a tubing extending into the well inside of said conduits, means for selectively and separately connecting the tubing with the respective production formations so as to flow that production formation either through its conduit or through the tubing, or to so connect the tubing as to simultaneously flow the formation from its conduit and the tubing without interfering with the separate flows from the other production formations through their conduits, there being no commingling of fluids from different production formations.

3. An apparatus for producing a well from two formations independently and without commingling of fluids where one formation has a casing extending thereto which comprises, an inlet into said casing from that formation, a production string of pipe and a cooperative packer thereon to seal with said casing between the formations, an inlet from the other formations to said'production string, a string of tubing in said production string, a transfer valve adapted to admit a flow to said tubing through either said casing and one formation, or through the production string and the other formation without interfering with the flow of the other formation,

and means at the surface to manipulate said tubing to open or close said transfer valve as to either formation.

4. A well having a bore which intersects a plurality of gas and liquid bearing formations, pipe members within the bore subdividing the same into separate chambers each extending downward from adjacent the ground level and each having means for admitting fluids thereto from one of the formations, each chamber being adapted to flow fluids independently to the surface, a tubing in the well of smaller cross section than either chamber and adapted to be connected alternatively and selectively with one of said chambers while sealed from the others, whereby the liquids can be siphoned from the well without interfering with the flow of fluids through any of the chambers or causing commingling of fluids from different formations.

5. A well having a bore which intersects a plurality of gas and liquid bearing formations, pipe members within the bore subdividing the same into separate chambers, each extending downward from adjacent the ground level and each having means for admitting fluids thereto from one of the formations each chamber being adapted to flow fluids independently to the surface, a tubing in the well adapted to be connected alternatively and selectively with one of said chambers while sealed from the others whereby fluids under pressure can be introduced from an exterior source into either the tubing or the chamber to which it is connected to facilitate flow through the chamber or the tubing without interfering with the flow through the other chambers or commingling of the fluids therein.

6. In a well equipped with pipes to provide separate conduits to the surface for each of a plurality of separated formations, a string of tubing in the innermost pipe, an inlet to the tubing from each pipe, means to move the tubing to connect with either of said inlets, pumping means in the tubing to lift liquids to the surface without interfering with the separate flow of liquids through said conduits.

JAMES O. LEWIS. 

